At Concept Schools, we get a little bit excited about all things related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). We always keep an eye out on what’s going on in STEM in the news. Each week we will share what we think is awesome and worth learning about.

There are many more amazing things going on in STEM than we have shared, so leave a comment with your favorite STEM news from this week.

We’ve talked about the idea of colonizing Mars on This Week in STEM, but have you ever really thought about what that would really look like? Designers at IKEA and others around the world are thinking about design options for a Martian habitat, and it might not be the way you imagine it.

Climate change is kind of a big deal. Scientists rely on lots of data to better understand how climate is changing and what we can do to take better care of Earth. Luckily, they have this small fleet of Saildrones to help them collect some of that data. The unmanned ocean drones can do the work of manned research ships, but only for the fraction of the cost!

There is no doubt that we value the role of technology in the classroom and at home. As parents and educators, we also care about how technology plays a role in our children’s development. If you have a few minutes, check out this thoughtful piece by NPR about AI devices and how young children are growing up to understand them.

Minecraft in the classroom is not a new concept, but how about Minecraft and second language learning? Glen Irvin, a high-school Spanish teacher, has found that the game really enhances second language learning, saying: “Game-based learning using Minecraft gave me the opportunity to design worlds where students can work and play together while communicating in Spanish.” Learn more about how you can use Minecraft in the classroom by checking out Irvin’s classroom YouTube channel and his Minecraft lesson plans.